Shelving



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. L. DANIELS. SHELVING.

Patented June 16,1891.-

2 Sheets-Sheet '2.

Zzv67v%07\ pawn/E21) J. L. DANIELS.

' SHELVING.

Patented June 16,1891.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH L. DANIELS, OF OLIVET, MICHIGAN.

SHELVING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Application filed January 4, 1890.

T0 at whom it may concern."

l 3e it known that I. JOSEPH L. DANIELS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Olivet, 1n the county of Eaton and Stateof Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Shelving, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in theconstruction of shelvmg; and the invention is designed especially forsuch purposes in which it is desirable to provide for a verticaladjustment of the shelves, and, further, wherein it is desirable to haveeach shelf or section of shelf independently adjustable between itsstandards, such as in the construction of shelving for storing book, asin libraries, where the different heights of the books need differentspaces between the shelves, and wherein the utmost economy for storingis obtained by placing the shelves just the necessary distance apart toaccommodate the particular size of the books.

To this end my invention consists, first, in the peculiar constructionof the shelving itself, in that each vertical series of shelves betweentwo pairs of standards is independently adjustable and supportedindependently of ithfeD shelves in the adjoining sections, right or Myinvention consists, further, in the peculiar construction of thesupporting-brackets of the shelves and in their peculiar attachment tothe standards, all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a sectional view on the line:20 0c of Fig. 2, with the shelves removed. Fig. 2 is a front elevationthereof, also in diagram. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a section ofshelving, showing two brackets secured to a pair of standards. Fig. 4.is an enlarged plan of one pair of standards with their brackets, asshown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line w 00 in Fig. 4, withthe shelves shown in position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of thesocket or bearing of the brackets.

A A are vertical standards which support the shelves a slight distanceapart. They are Patent No. 454,259, dated June 16, 1891.

Serial No. 335,886. (No model.)

means of the sockets B.

C are the shelves, which extend from the center of one pair of standardsto the center of the next pair of standards.

D are the shelf-supporting brackets, upon the soles of which the ends ofthe shelves are supported, preferably by forming a slight mortise in theunder part. of the shelves in which the sole of the bracket is adaptedto engage to prevent sudden displacement of the shelves when it shouldbecome necessary to adjust them. These brackets are constructed in thefollowing manner: The sole of the bracket is supported, as shown, by anornamental rib or vertical flange E of any graceful design which impartsthe necessary strength to the bracket. At one end of this bracket abearing is provided adapted to the shape of the standard, which in caseof the tubular standards, as shown in the drawings, is constructed asshown in Fig. 6, wherein a b are two segmental jaws integral with thebracket and adapted to bear upon opposites sides of the standard, theupper one at the back of the standardand the lower one against the frontof the standard, and when so engaged adapted to hold the bracket atright angles to the standard and form a friction -grip thereon under theaction of its weight and the load supported thereon. For additionalsecurity I provide a set-screw c to bear against the standard upon theopposite side of the jaw a. The set-screw is tapped through a suitableear d, formed in the side of the bracket. This bearing is not in thecenter plane of the bracket, but to one side thereof, so that when thebracket is in place upon the standard it is to one side of the center ofthe standard. Another peculiarity in the construction of the bearing ofthe brackets is that I place the two j aws far enough apart in avertical direction andwith enough clearance between the free endsthereof to detach the bracket or engage the bracket from or with itsstandard by a joint vertical and lateral movement of the bracket inrelation to the standard, thus facilitating the adjustment of thebracket up or down or of securing additional brackets to the standardsafter the shelving is put up.

arranged in pairs and are secured in posi- In constructing the shelvingwith these bracktion in any desirable manner, such as by too ets Isecure the brackets in each vertical division alternatelyto the frontand rearstandards, the brackets on one standard being so far apart asnot to interfere with the brackets or the adjustment of the bracketssecured to the opposite standard and, further, two adjoining shelves areat a corresponding height, or nearly so. The brackets supporting theseadjoining ends are attached relatively to the front and rearstandards,whereby these two brackets are adjustable vertically withoutliability of interfering with each other. \Vith ashelli' constructed inthis manner it will be seen that each shelf or section of shelf betweentwo pairs of standards is entirely independent of any adjoining shelf orthe shelves above and below, and it may be adjusted to suit any heightof books; or if additional shelf-room is gained a new pair of bracketswith its shelf may be secured in place, or if more space is wanted ashelf may be taken out without requiring the adjustment of any othershell. Thus the utmost economy is obtained in the arrangement andconstruction of library-shelving wherein the ordinary construction doesnot provide for such facility, and thus entails a great amount of wasteroom.

The same considerations apply to shelving in book-stores and othermercantile contents where goods require different sizes of shelf room,and my device is thus applicable to different purposes.

It is evidentthat my brackcts may be applied with a single series ofvertical rods where they are used beside a wall, the shelf resting withits rear end against the wall, and I desire to include this within myinvention,

although the especial object of my invention is the application of thebrackets to places where two rows of vertical supports are re qnired.

The vertical flange E acts as the end support for the books at the endof the shelves. I find it a decided advantage to support the books atthe top instead of from the bottom, as in falling upon the shelf the topof the book always moves first.

hat I claim as my invention is l. The herein described construction ofshelving composed of vertical standards arranged in pairs, with shelvesindependently supported in each vertical division by a pair of bracketsadj ustably secured to the front or rear standards, substantially asdescribed.

2. The herein -deseribed construction of shelving composed of "erticalstandards arranged in pairs, with shelves independently supported ineach vertical division by a pair of brackets adjustably securedalternately to the front and rear standards, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described supporting-bracket having a socket formed at oneend to adjustably secure it to vertical standards, an car on thebracket, a set-screw extending through the car, and a depending flangeforming the end support for the books on the shelf below, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 24th day of December, 188E).

JOSEPH L. DANIELS.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES WHI'rTEMoRE, M. B. ODoennirrv.

